Community and charity

As a family firm, it’s second nature for us to support our people and our wider community.

We fundraise for nominated charities each year, sponsor local sports teams, provide the trucks for our Bonfire Society and have donated the Uckfield Christmas tree every year since 1951.

Inspiring the next generation of engineers is also important to us, so we invite students from the Uckfield Community College for a week’s work experience each year.

In addition to our regular community and charity work, we enjoy supporting various local initiatives. We’ve dug the groundwork for the Uckfield Community Fridge, picked up litter from Seaford Beach and provided a carnival truck for the Children with Cancer Fund charity.

Number of Christmas trees donated

Charities of the Year

Donated to charities in 2025

Charities of the Year

Our chosen charities for 2026

We are proud to support the Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare and the Rockinghorse Children’s Charity, as our chosen charities for 2026.

Rockinghorse Children’s Charity

The inspirational Rockinghorse Children’s Charity supports babies, children, young people and their families across Sussex. Established in 1967 by paediatrician Dr Trevor Mann, the charity’s original target was to fund the first incubator outside of London.

Today the charity raises much needed funds for The Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital and The Trevor Mann Baby Unit in Brighton, alongside other specialist children’s wards and baby units across Sussex.

In addition, they fund community projects to support children with learning disabilities or long-term health conditions, helping them to live their lives to the fullest.

It’s our privilege to support a charity which has such a positive impact on so many families.

Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare

Well-loved in our local area, Raystede is an animal rescue centre which rehabilitates, rehomes and gives sanctuary to domestic animals.

Raystede supports a huge range of species; including dogs, cats, tortoises, guinea pigs, goats, alpacas, horses…to name just a few. And their aviaries are home to many exotic birds.

They also provide community education programmes to advise pet owners and encourage respect for all animals. And they welcome visitors to their 43 acre site, so you can see for yourself where the money we raise will be used.

Caring for around 400 animals at any one time, Raystede relies on the support of local individuals and businesses. We’re delighted to include ourselves in that number.

Love local

Supporting our local communities

It’s very important to us that we find ways to give back to our local communities. We’re long term sponsors of Uckfield Rugby Club, members of the Uckfield Volunteer Centre, donors of the Uckfield Christmas tree, and we provide trucks to pick up the spent torches after Uckfield Bonfire Society’s annual procession.

You’ll also spot our trucks at carnivals and events around the south east, such as the Eastbourne and Uckfield Carnivals.

Our team are always ready to support a good cause. Many of us have taken part in fundraising challenges for our chosen charities. We’ve also been litter picking, carrying out the groundwork for Uckfield’s Community Fridge, and managing road closures during Uckfield’s late night shopping events.

The wider Thorne Group are just as dedicated: Our sister company, Hobart Paving, sponsors their local football team, Horsham FC, and their consideration for their local community has been recognised with accolades such as the Considerate Contractor “Care for Croydon” award.